--3B Travis Metcalf was claimed off waivers from the Rangers, who designated him for assignment Sunday. Metcalf had 11 home runs and 35 RBIs with a .249 average in 80 games with Texas the past two years. Metcalf was a 2004 draft pick out of Kansas, where he hit a school-record 18 homers in his final season. He is the Jayhawks' all-time home run leader with 29. Metcalf will begin the season with Class AAA Omaha.

--RHP Brian Bannister, who started the second Kansas City game of the 2008 season, will be the Class AAA Omaha opening-day pitcher Thursday. RHP Luke Hochevar, who was 6-12 in 22 starts with Kansas City last season, will start the second Omaha game, while RHP Brandon Duckworth will be the No. 3 starter. LHPs Heath Phillips and Bruce Chen will fill out the Omaha rotation. All five have big-league experience.

--"Zack is Zack is the best way to put it. With his caliber of pitching, if you get him one run, that could be enough." -- Royals SS Mike Aviles on RHP Zack Greinke, who threw six scoreless innings in 2-0 victory Wednesday over the White Sox.

--INF/OF Willie Bloomquist was used by manager Trey Hillman as a late-inning defensive replacement, but not at second base for Mark Teahen. Instead, Bloomquist replaced RF Jose Guillen.

MEDICAL WATCH:

LHP John Bale (thyroid surgery on March 3) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. When he regains his strength and stamina, he will be activated, but he likely will pitch at least one or two games on a minor league rehab assignment first.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Gil Meche

2. RHP Zack Greinke

3. RHP Kyle Davies

4. RHP Sidney Ponson (inactive as of opening day)

5. LHP Horacio Ramirez

BULLPEN:

RHP Joakim Soria (closer)

RHP Kyle Farnsworth

LHP Ron Mahay

RHP Juan Cruz

RHP Doug Waechter

RHP Robinson Tejada

RHP Jamey Wright

LINEUP:

1. CF Coco Crisp

2. LF David DeJesus

3. 2B Mark Teahen

4. RF Jose Guillen

5. 1B Mike Jacobs

6. DH Billy Butler

7. 3B Alex Gordon

8. C Miguel Olivo

9. SS Mike Aviles

RESERVES:

C John Buck

INF/OF Willie Bloomquist

INF Alberto Callaspo

C/INF/OF Brayan Pena

INF Tony Pena Jr.